Tag



Jline 1957 H. F. WATERS TAG Filed Dec. 9, 1954 INVENTOR.

United States Patent TAG Harry F. Waters, New York, N. Y.

Application December 9, 1954, Serial No. 474,098

1 Ciaim. (Cl. 49--20) The present invention relates to improvements in tag, one object of the invention being the production of a convertible bag for cup or pot use, whereby for the cup use, a flexible flat strip is employed, and which by removing a portion of the strip, a string and tag supported bag for pot use can be had.

In present tea bag dunking or tea brewing, a dangling string and tag is wound around the infusion bag, and must be unwound by the user for dunking in a drinking cup or drowning in a pot. This type has objections in that the mechanism for winding the string about the bag is complicated, and often the user tears the bag in unwinding the same, and also when used in cup for brewing, the string permits the wet bag to twist and dangle so that often the drips therefrom stain table cloths. The present invention overcomes these objections, in that the tags, printed in strips, on one or both sides, is then placed in a chain stitch sewing machine, and a raveling stitch of yarn or string is attached to each tag, while one staple is then attached to each tag to secure one end of the string. This tag is then fed through a package forming, filling and closing machine to be severed from its strip and have the end remote from the previously stapled end stapled to the bag, which staple also firmly grips its end of the sewn in string. Thus then the bag is provided with a fiat flexible tag, that may be of paper or other suitable material, and which tag as is can be used to support the bag in a cup for brewing, or the intermediate portion of the strip torn away to release the chain stitches between the two ends of the tag, so that a string connection is then provided between the bag and the tag to permit the bag to be used for pot brewing.

To more fully understand the present invention and ap preciate its advantages over present usages, attention is invited to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a plan view of the tag per se.

Figure 2 is a similar view with the intermediate section removed to convert the tag to a string and tag formation.

Figure 3 is a side view of a tea or coffee bag with the present tag attached in its normal position.

Figure 4 is a similar view with the intermediate section of the tag removed to convert the bag into a string and tag bag.

Figure 5 is a view of the bag as of Fig. 3 in a cup for brewing.

Figure 6 is a view of the bag and its string and tag when used for pot brewing.

Referring to the drawings, the numeral 1 designates a tea or coffee bag, made in the normal way in a machine for forming, filling and closing, using infusion paper for the bag.

The present tag 2, which as before stated is made in roll ice strip form, printed on one or both sides, as may be desired, and this strip is then passed through a chain stitch sewingmachine to attach a string 3 centrally and longitudinally of the tag, the full length thereof. This strip is then run through a stapling machine, and a staple 4 is attached to the enlarged end or finger grip 5 of the tag, to anchor the string, the purpose of which will presently appear.

The strip is perforated at 6, and at 6', and the end or head 7 is stapled by the staple 8 to the bag, in the machine that now attaches the string and tag, either of the vertical or horizontal type, the tag having been severed from the preceding tag and bag, and the tag being preferably of the same length as the bag to facilitate this opera tion. The bag is now provided with a tag, that will support the same in the cup C, Fig. 5.

To convert the bag from a strip tag supporter to a string dangler, the portion 9 of the strip is broken at the perforated portions 66 and the tag 5 is pulled upon to release the stitches of the string from such removed portion 9, and the string 3 will then be loose to assume the positions as shown in Figs. 2, 4 and 6, for use in a pot P, or in a cup, is so desired.

By attaching the string at the two staple points, the staple 8 holds it at one end to the bag, while the staple 4 secures the other end firmly to the tag or finger grip 5, so that the string which is bodily carried by the complete tag, from end to end, readily becomes a flexible connection between the bag and the tag, and the present tag then converts the bag from a strip supported bag to a string supported bag.

Thus the step of winding a string about the infusion bag, now in vogue is dispensed with, the present tag being more easily and with a less complicated mechanism attached to the bag, and a better packaging of the multiple bags for the customer, as these bags can lie flat in parallel within the box or carton. Also by providing a chain stitched string bodily carried by the tag, the string is always available for those who prefer a string supported bag with tag, or vice versa.

It will be noted that the string 3 is sewn in the strip in such a manner, that when the tab or tag 5 is broken away from the strip 9, that by pulling on such tab or tag, the stitches in the string will be unravelled from the strip 9, which being removed entirely, permits the tag or tab to be string supported only.

What is claimed is:

A tag having a string, said string being ravel stitched therein with each end of said string being secured to said tag, said tag having weakened areas, means for securing said string ends to said tag, and said weakened areas being positioned between said means and extending the entire width of the tag.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 529,873 McDermut Nov. 27, 1894 663,355 McGill Dec. 4, 1900 1,093,985 French Apr. 21, 1914 1,514,244 Allatt Nov. 4, 1924 2,098,164 Rice Nov. 2, 1937 2,149,713 Webber Mar. 7, 1939 2,298,420 Salfisberg Oct. 13, 1942 2,458,169 Irmscher Ian. 4, 1949 2,468,464 Salfisberg Apr. 26, 1949 

